I put a new carburetor on my Tecumseh. It keeps flooding. I can see the gas pouring in to the barrel through the small port on the front by the choke plate as I crank the engine.

The float may be stuck, or the needle valve that lets gas into the carb may be stuck open. Is there a sight glass to see the fuel level? If not you may have to take the top of carburetor off.

If it won't start, then pumping the gas and using carb cleaner may make it worse. Carb cleaner is not the same as starting fluid. It will make the engine harder to start. If it's flooded, then pumping the gas will only flood it more. If you need to de-flood, then press the accelerator pedal ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR and HOLD it there while cranking. Don't pump it.
Have you looked at the top of the carburetor while someone cranks the engine? Does the choke close when you press the accelerator for the first (and only) time? You state that you replaced the choke; do you mean the electric choke spring? Is it adjusted correctly? You need to know the choke setting for it to work properly.
Then again, it may have nothing to do with the choke. Do you have spark at the plugs? Have you checked the fuel filter?

Sounds like a flooded carburetor. Possibly float needle dropped since bowl was not full enough to keep float needle in place. This could be from improper adjustment during carburetor overhaul. When floats are set, some have adjustments for both top cutoff and bottom drop.

Now if black smoke is not from exhaust pipes, you have a bigger problem. Could new fuel be contaminated with diesel? Also depending on carburetor type, the rear barrels of a 4 barrel carb can soot up if the rear barrels are not often open. Some rear barrel actuators are vacuum operated, others are mechanical links.

Some other thoughts are metering rods can be extended and jam if either the seat unscrews or the rod hangs up. Not common, but possible. Free floating rust could jam the metering rod in almost any position. When placing a carburetor on the intake manifold, NEVER turn the carburetor upside down or at any angle that the truck would not normally go. The float pin can slide out of some models.

Also, was the gas used from a 2 cycle engine like a boat or lawnmower that has oil in the gas?

It sounds like whoever rebuilt the carb hooked the choke linkage up the wrong way. The mechanism can go together wrong and still fit. One of the pieces is a counterweight to trip the linkage off and it is likely in there wrong. It is usually painted green. The linkage will have to come apart and be redone. I've rebuilt a few and never had any luck finding a good diagram of how it is supposed to go together. There is one piece that has small steps on it, and when the choke is activated it is supposed to lock out the back barrels. The steps are what makes your engine rev higher when you try to kick it down. You have to play with it, put it together, close the choke and then trip the throttle. If it doesn't open try again. Sorry but hope this helps.

I don't know the plug number. Off the shelf chain saw plug from small engine repair shop will replace existing plug.

First of all, are you getting spark?
Take out plug. Put spark wire on plug. Hole plug by spark wire. Touch metal threads of spark plug to metal part of engine block. Metal to metal. Pull cord. Look for spark between metals. If there is no spark, then spark coil is bad.

Look at exhaust port. Is there anything that would stop the exhaust from escaping?

Can you get to fuel line running into carburetor? See if gas makes it all the way to the carburetor.

Can you get to the air filter? Is it dirty? Can you spray WD-40 directly into carburetor. A saw that has good exhaust, spark and compression will fire on WD-40.

If your engine can fire on WD-40, but will not stay running, then carburetor is suspect. Maybe gum out will work. Try to keep the engine going on WD-40 and see if that opens the carburetor.

If you can keep engine going on WD-40, that takes both hands ... use your third hand to move choke and throttle levers and see if the engine can start on its own.

Upvote if this information helps. Thanks for the feedback.

It sounds as if you still have Carburetor problems.

Use a Den Tek Brush, (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=165357&catid=1152), to clean the small portals in carb. These portals can become blocked. (If there is a small screen in the Carb., this can get blocked too. Make sure that it is clean as well.)

Reassemble and start. (If there is a small screen in the Carb., this can get blocked too. Make sure that it is clean as well.)

If the carb. parts are more than 4 years old, you may have to replace them.

If you need further assistance on:
1. Fuel line replacement or
2. Carburetor kit replacement

Just let me know.

Jim

Clean the muffler spark arrestor screen and check the cylinder port for carbon build-up at the upper edge. Try presetting both carburetor H and L adjustments (from lightly CW stops) 1-1/2 turns CCW each. Start the engine and allow to warm up. Pull the throttle wide open and adjust H CW until the engine speed increases, but still 4-stroking. Correct setting is when the engine 4-strokes, but immediately 2-strokes when cutting. Allow to idle and adjust L for smoother running, yet allows the engine to 'follow the throttle'. Set idle speed to keep the engine running, but doesn't try to move the chain. You may have to look closer at your carburetor if the above doesn't help. Go to:
http://www.drystacked.com
for an excellent article (but poor pix) on Walbro carburetors, but related to most all 2-stroke carburetors. Hope this helps!

Try changing the gas. Pour old gas out and put new gas in. Make sure the fuel mixture is correct.

Check the fuel lines for cracks/breaks. If they are o.k., then:

You will need to disassemble the carburetor and spray with carb.cleaner.Make sure the small screen is free of debris. (Should be able to see daylight through it.)

Use a Den Tek Brush, (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=165357&catid=1152),to clean the small portals in carb. These portals can become blocked. Reassemble and start.

If the carb. parts are more than 4 years old, you may have to replace them.

If you need further assistance on:
1. Fuel line replacement or
2. Carburetor kit replacement

Just let me know.

Jim

Yes, Your carburetor sounds like it needs cleaned. Or you may possibly need to purchase a carb. kit for your trimmer if the cleaning doesn't do any good. When cleaning the carb. use a Den Tek Brush, (teeth cleaning brush), to clean the small ports. Also, check the small screen in carb. Can get clogged easily.

Jim

i did and thanks - just picked up one that does the same thing and i plan to take your advise

Thank you Jerr